Several fans have grown enamored by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s unusual preparation methods.
Yamamoto did not take the mound for Monday’s NLCS Game 1 between the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. But he did get some training in for his next-day start in Game 2.
The Spectrum SportsNet broadcast caught a glimpse of Yamamoto doing some pre-series stretches. The 27-year-old was seen doing a back bend in front of a wall at the concourse of American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis. He then took a few steps up the wall and flipped back onto his feet like a circus performer.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto doing your typical preparation for his start tomorrow pic.twitter.com/J0Pm7o07Qv
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 14, 2025
Yamamoto reportedly seldom lifts weights and instead focuses on strengthening his mobility through stretches and bodyweight exercises.
We just recorded a video where I reacted to Yoshinobu Yamamoto's training routine.
— Ben Brewster (@TreadAthletics) January 13, 2025
A few initial thoughts:
1) He seems to have been influenced by both mobility & throwing drills from the Javelin world but not their lifting philosophy.
2) In fact, his teammates tell me that… pic.twitter.com/RcWukzJNnU
While it all looks unusual, Yamamoto’s training regimen obviously works. Through two MLB seasons, the Japanese superstar has a 2.66 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 48 career starts.
The man has a World Series ring and an All-Star nod two years into his major-league career. With the Dodgers’ pitching staff decimated by injuries throughout most of the year, the team may want to ask Yamamoto to let his teammates in on his training secrets.
Yamamoto will start for the Dodgers in Game 2 opposite Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.
